ntertainment Februaiy 20,1997 'Vegas Vacation'— The Latest Griswald Adventure O /v hilarious performance as the ob­ N ep tuneTheJ azzG od Guest appearances by the stars Erik Akelaitis noxious cousin Eddie. Quaid’s of yesteryear score a lot of base Pendulum Reyorter Asst. A&E Editor performance is one of many per­ hits, but no home run. Wayne Get ready for yet another trip formances which make “Vegas “Vegas Vacation,” starring Newton’s crush on Mrs. Griswald down “” with the Vacation” as good as the previ­ , relieves stress now is worth a few laughs. Sid Caesar’s Griswalds, but this time, they travel ous “Vacation” films and make that the semester is in full swing. five minute appearance is about to in “Vegas Vacation.” this one stand out from other com­ However, this two-star movie re­ four minutes too long. The movie contains many co­ edy films. lies too much on previous National The good parts of the movie medic performances and elements In addition to outstanding Lampoon vacation movies to be are the background, set and music. that helped make the previous “Va­ performances, many renowned < B w u ie r t original. Bossa Nova, Latin jazz and cation” movies unique and memo­ celebrities have cameos in the The plot is drab. Clark Hendrix are mixed in a way no rable. film. Some of these celebrities Griswald wants to drag the rest of radio station would do today. Las ^ Feb« 21* Toni Braxton and In this film, Clark Griswald include superstar Wayne New­ the family to Nevada. Then every­ Vegas is the neon paradise every­ K ^ n y G . H ie G reensbom earns a promotion at work, which ton and super model Christie one has a splendid time but Clark. one expects it to be. The imagina­ Coliseum; Tkket$; $27.50, gives him and his beloved family Brinkley, whom you might re­ The stabs at humor interwoven here tion used in the support depart­ $40 time for yet another hilarious vaca­ member from the original “Vaca­ are weak, such as constant plays on ments of the production need to tion. tion;” the fake I.D. theme by the son. moved into the scriptwriter’s divi­ “Vegas Vacation” contains co­ “Vegas Vacation” is a film In order to liven the dead plot, sion for the next feature. medic performances by talented ac­ that combines talented acting with repetitive humor from previous There is a hint of a good satire tors, which complement the film’s unique comedic elements that movies are brought in. The prime in this comedy. Las Vegas por­ unique quality. helped make the original “Vaca­ example is the nitwit cousins, trays itself as family centered. Chevy Chase plays the memo­ tion” a success. In addition, there whom National Lampoon should See the movie, though. It is rable role of Clark Griswald, who, as are many new elements that make retire. The pregnant wife, the belch­ worth a few giggles, and besides, in past films, goes to any limit for his it classically unique from “Vaca­ ing and beer-downing husband and over-analyzing a comedy misses family. tion.” dizzy daughter were funny about the whole point. Beverly D’Angelo once again The film is a comedic suc­ two movies ago. plays Ellen Griswald, the devoted cess, but cannot come close to the wife and mother who stands by Clark originality of the original “Vaca­ ♦ Feb, 20. FilobolMS Pance through his many dumbfounded es­ tion.” “Vegas Vacation” is filled Theatxe. McCraiy Theatre Movie Reviews OATt D'HLCTOH BV capades. with laughs that every member of E lan C o l l i e 8 offers yet another the audience will enjoy. Tickets: $12 or i&ee with B lo n ia <910)584-2199 'Dante's Peak' Explodes on a Screen Near You Tracey Stark interrupted in the opening scene culprits that lead to disaster, pre­ Theisman was sacked by LT) venting Dalton from doing his job Managing Editor and the movie picks up several bother you, be warned of the mine years later, where our hero’s heart and saving the town. shaft scene. TTomdUr wHMiiei? Pierce Brosnan (Goldeneye) is still not healed. The trailers and television com­ I give this movie three out of and Linda Hamilton (Terminator, Peculiar seismic activity mercials show a lot of great explo­ four stars. Good cast, good ef­ T2) brought this year’s “Twister” brings him to the quaint little ham­ sions, but don’t worry, they barely fects, great sound. to life with the help of a lot of let of Dante’s Peak, who’s mayor, scratch the surface. There are a lot of , Other disaster movies worth explosions and special effects, and Rachel Wando (Hamilton), also in-your-face explosions. renting on video: a somewhat decent, but very pre­ runs a cutesy convenience store/ Like in any good disaster movie, •The Poseidon Adventure dictable plot. coffee shop. human lives have to be sacrificed, as •Airport ‘77 Like most disaster films, the Wando is a divorced mom of well as cars, trucks, buses, roads, a •Earthquake action is more important than the two, which leads us into the ro­ helicopter, houses, telephone poles, •Twister th e plot in “Dante’s Peak.” But here’s mantic twist that any child of five a bridge, a dam, and of course, an the gist of the story for what it’s could have seen coming when the entire mountain. West End two initially meet. The romance that is sparking M o v ie Worth: Cinemas (538>9900) Dr. Harry Dalton (Brosnan) is Signs that the volcano may but not quite igniting gives the main a specialist in Volcanology who erupt are obvious to the hero, but characters a reason to live, push on R e v ie w has spent his entire life traveling not to his arrogant boss and igno­ and wreck every car they touch. In Love and War rant co-workers. A word of caution: If com­ the world at the slightest move­ 'k The Beautician and ment of a volcano. His love life is Politics and money are the pound fractures (like when Joe the Beast Empire Strikes Back WSOE TOP 10 LIST Now Hear This... Rosewood Look for the following releases in music stores everywhere Absolute Power 1. Mo]o Nbcon- i Like Marijuana = = = = = February 25 ======;=== 2. Prodigy-Rrestarter Scream 3. Siysli^Mlta Live Dante’s Peak 4. VaUe]o* Boogleman Lost World Sdtrk. Metro 5. Smashing Putiipkiiis*Ey0 Beverly Hills Ninja 6. 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